James 1:19

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak {and} slow to anger;

     While there are many different approaches and ideas to the world of parenting, there seems to be one chorus that is heard throughout: Be careful about punishing your children while you are angry. The reasoning behind this advice is simple. When we are angry, it can cause us to lose control. When a child does something that makes you angry, you can be unnecessarily (and even cruelly) harsh. Many parents lament punishments they have dished out in anger.

     This idea of anger controlling us is in no way relegated only to the parenting world. Most fist fights start because anger takes hold  and rules over our peaceful and perserving instincts. The things that I regret saying the most came from periods where I allowed my emotions to overwhelm me. I would say things that were intentionally hurtful. I wanted to punish them for making me angry. That is what is most dangerous. We want to find some way, any way to hurt them. That is what they deserve, is it not?

     As Christians we have to be careful about letting anger control us. Like our Father in Heaven, we must control our anger. There are two things that God does with His anger. First of all, He is  extremely patient, suffering with even the most vile of sinners before He executes judgment. Secondly, He tries to make amends with those who have wronged Him. That was why He sent His Son down on the cross. Finally, if it is necessary to act in anger, He does so according to righteousness. We need to make sure that our anger is not our fault rather than theirs. We also need to make sure that our level of anger is proportional to the level of offense. By following our Father’s example, we control  our anger rather than let our anger control us.

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak {and} slow to anger;